The LISSOM package contains the C++, Python, and Scheme source code and examples for training and testing firing-rate LISSOM models, specifically RF-LISSOM, CRF-LISSOM, and HLISSOM. These self-organizing models support detailed simulations of the development and function of the mammalian visual system. This package is now obsolete; all of the simulations can be done in the currently supported simulator Topographica.

The simulator includes a graphical user interface (GUI), a command language for scripts, and a command-line interface. Sample command files are provided for running a variety of orientation, ocular dominance, motion direction, and face perception simulations. Extensive documentation is also included on disk and via online help at the command line. For more details about LISSOM-based models, see this paper on RF-LISSOM (and others under Visual Cortex and Self-Organization), and the Visual Cortex and Self-Organization research descriptions.

In addition to the supplied sample simulations, the simulator allows you to define arbitrary networks of maps that you can arrange into a hierarchy representing the visual system. Currently-supported map types include input regions (e.g. a Retina), convolving regions (e.g. ON/OFF cell layers), and RF-LISSOM regions (with modifiable afferent and lateral connections.) Environmental input is controlled by a simple but flexible language that allows arbitrary patterns and natural images to be rendered, scaled, rotated, combined, etc. This language makes it possible to use LISSOM for many of your own projects without having to write any new simulator code. However, we strongly recommend that you use Topographica for new projects, because it supports many more types of models (including LISSOM) in a much more flexible way.

The installation instructions, GUI documentation, command language documentation, and code documentation for the current version are available online.

(6/2005): More recent changes are now available via CVS; you might want to try the CVS version if you are having problems with the official release. See README.CVS for more information. Note however that these changes will not make the code compile on GCC 4.x.

Note: As of GCC 3.x and 4.x (e.g. in Fedora Core 3, 4, and 5 releases), the GNU compiler has gotten more strict about certain formerly accepted template code, and LISSOM will no longer compile with these compilers. If you are interested in contributing patches, please contact the author. In the meantime, binaries compiled under earlier compiler versions (GCC 3.4.x and below) can be used on any system, or you can install GCC 3.4.x and use that to compile LISSOM.